215 students of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) will perform community service in 3T (the frontier, outermost, and remote) areas in Indonesia. Divided into seven groups, their departure was officially announced by Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of UMY on Monday (25/6) at Meeting Hall of A.R. Fachruddin A, UMY. The community service is UMY contribution to empower Indonesian people, particularly in the 3T areas.
The seven groups will do the community services in Tli’u, Amanuban Timur (NTT) by Dharma Cita Nusantara (30 students); Sembalun District, Lombok Timur (NTB) by Generasi Indonesia Mengabdi (49 students); Sambi Rampas, Manggarai Tmur (NTT); Warmon, Sorong (Papua Barat) by Mahardika Bakti Nusantara; Tepal, Sumbawa (NTB) by Unit Pengabdian Indonesia (26 students); Maspul, Sei Limau, Bukit Harapan, Sebatik Tengah (Kalimantan Utara) by Generation Bakti Negeri (29 students); and Long Keluh, Berau (Kalimantan Timur) by Lensa Borneo (22 students).
Sukamta advised students to run all program plans well. “You are representatives of UMY so that you have to behave properly. First, you have to keep in mind that this community service is a learning medium for you and the community so that you should consider it as a worship to Allah. Next, you have to act professionally in working and you should remember that communication is an essential aspect to carry out your programs. You have maintain good relationship with the community and among yourselves,” he declared.
Meanwhile, a representative of Research, Publication and Community Service Office of UMY Dr. Aris Slamet Widodo, S.P., M.Sc. mentioned significance of creating good communication with the community. “A lot of failures of community service occurred since many students thought that community empowerment a onetime activity. It is a sustainable activity and UMY students should act as a facilitator not an event organizer,” he emphasized.
“As a facilitator, your responsibility is to connect among the communities in order that they are able to find solutions of issues in their community. Thus, you have to mingle with them, give understanding and raise their awareness that they have capability to develop. You have to remember that Allah will change will not change the condition of people until they change what is in themselves. Make this verse your principle,” maintained Aris.
Aris also expected that the students can always contribute to the community even though the program ends. “I hope that these groups can always synergize with LP3M of UMY to empower the community,” he said.
